Bless this bunch of laid back Estonian representatives from 2003. Their's was a good song, with a fresh sound (possibly imitated from other bands I can't quite put my finger on right now) that offered something of a relief from all the others on offer in the 2003 Contest.
Simple, yet effective. Well executed. In tune and a tub-thumper to boot.
Shame it came 14th that year.
Thursday 14 February 2008
# 23 Eighties coming back
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In 2003, seated on my immediate right in the audience were a somewhat taciturn Estonian couple - who only really came to life during this song, dancing and cheering.
You're right that it had a different and fresh sound, and that it was a competent performance. But I've never really liked this - the indie sound is just not my cup of tea, the bohemian appearance of the band grated on me, and it sounded nothing whatsoever like the 80s coming back.
It also marked the beginning of Estonia's fall from grace. At the start of this decade it seemed as though the Baltic nation would become the new Sweden - but after this song, they've never graced a Eurovision final again (and Greece became the new Sweden instead!).
I've always thought it was amusing that someone so young should be so overtaken with nostalgia. He ought to be looking forward, not back.
But because this song was so different from its competitors I remember it made a big impact on me the first time I heard it which remained throughout the whole of 2003. I was very sorry it didn't do better, and I was also sorry that the lead singer was physically attacked for not achieving a better result (I believe he made a full recovery).
In fact I liked it so much, I recall, that I actually spent some time on a day trip to Tallinn finding a copy of the Claire's Birthday cd.
X years on, I don't play this song so often, but the occasional airing like just now fills the mind with a breath of fresh air.
For me this gets a good 8 out of 10.
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